DOGS AND US

A fetching tribute to a long and fruitful association between two species.

“It doesn’t take much for us to understand each other,” writes Pantaleo, in Bibo’s translation from Italian, “but it hasn’t always been this way.” In the simply phrased narrative that follows, prehistoric humans and early wolves hunting mammoths gradually come together. Then, as eras pass, humans are depicted in the conventional dress of many cultures and periods posing with differing breeds of dogs—in war and peace, in work and play—up to modern views of people and pooches in settings both rural and urban. “Together forever,” she concludes, “dogs and us!” For families in search of canine companions, she appends portraits of 35 domestic breeds, plus a dingo standing in for wild strains; each comes with brief notes (translated by Ghione) about its history, distinctive characteristics, and disposition. In the illustrations, two-legged figures, though stylized in dress and features, are nearly as diverse as the array of affectionate four-legged ones, and the message that there is a dog for everyone—and vice versa—comes through clearly.

A quick overview with a bit of historical perspective sure to enrich the natural bonds between dogs and dog lovers.